A recent All Progressives Congress (APC) meeting held on Sunday in Gombe State, North-East Nigeria, ended in chaos following the refusal of the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to mention Vice President Kashim Shettima during the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu.
The incident has triggered strong reactions, especially in Borno State, the home state of the Vice President.
Many residents and party members have expressed disappointment and anger, calling the act a sign of disrespect and marginalization of the North-East region.
In an interview with The News Chronicle on Monday morning, Comrade Musa Usaman, an APC Ward Chairman in Maiduguri, said, “This is an embarrassment for the people of Borno State. As APC leaders, we completely reject this nonsense. Everyone knows President Tinubu won the 2023 election largely because of Kashim Shettima, who played a vital role during and after the campaign.”
He continued, “Why would Ganduje endorse only the President? If there is justice, then Shettima should also be acknowledged. It should be Tinubu/Shettima not just Tinubu. If the President drops Shettima as his running mate, I assure you, I will mobilize thousands of youths to defect to another party.”
Ali Abdullahi, a businessman and APC member, said, “I’m not criticizing the APC solely because of Shettima. But now I see the truth, and I will openly speak against the party. I’ll wait to see who Tinubu picks as his running mate before making further comments.”
Malam Garba from Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State also voiced his frustration: “What happened at the meeting in Gombe is disgraceful, especially from our leaders in Abuja you know what I mean.”
Barrister Wakil added, “I foresaw this coming. I suspected Tinubu might replace Shettima for the 2027 elections. Honestly, I support that. Why? Because Shettima himself heavily criticized politicians like Atiku Abubakar during the 2023 campaign, saying Atiku did nothing for the North-East as Vice President. Now the tables have turned what has Shettima done for the North-East as VP? Just one project? He is like a spare tyre in the Aso Villa, and not even a useful one.”
The News Chronicle gathered that many residents of the North-East are disappointed by the perceived neglect of Vice President Shettima, whom they consider their political representative.
With the 2027 general elections drawing closer, political tensions are rising. Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has already made his stance clear, declaring, “No Vice President Shettima as running mate, no votes for APC in the North-East.”
